Railway Nets Movie Star -- Thomas

The Scenic Railway And Downtown Tavares Are Expected To Benefit From The Tank Engine Visit.

January 14, 2002|By Frank Stanfield, Sentinel Correspondent

TAVARES -- Thomas the Tank Engine is chugging into town in March, and that means young fans of the TV character's books, movies and toys will have built up a full head of steam by the time he rolls into Wooton Park.

"If you've got a child from 1 to 5, it's an explosion of toys, books and things about Thomas," said Kim House, the Tavares community affairs director.

FOR THE RECORD - *******************************CORRECTION PUBLISHED JANUARY 25, 2002*************************************An article on the front of the Jan. 14 Lake Sentinel, Saturday's Osceola section and Thursday's Orange section about Thomas the Tank Engine coming to Tavares included an incorrect telephone number. Anyone wishing to buy $14 tickets for the 20-minute ride March 9 through 17 should visit the railway station in Mount Dora or call 352-735-4667.****************************************************************************************************************************

For $14, fans can catch a 20-minute ride on a train pulled by the popular character. The train will be riding the tracks from March 9 to 17.

"This is Florida's first trip from Thomas the Tank Engine, and wherever he's gone before, his popularity has resulted in sold-out trips," said Neil Bagaus with the Orlando & Mount Dora Scenic Railway. "So we are urging our passengers to buy their tickets now to avoid disappointment."

Tavares City Council members decided in December to approve the "Day Out With Thomas" events in the lakefront park, complete with food vendors and such activities as storytelling, coloring stations and video viewing.

"They felt it would be a good way to get exposure for the park and for downtown," House said. The city is undertaking a "streetscape" project to improve the looks of the town and has applied for a Main Street grant similar to ones obtained by Eustis and Leesburg. A committee is looking into ways to renovate the downtown.

Promoters of the event felt it would also be a way for the Scenic Railway to get exposure for its work in operating steam locomotives. The Cannonball chugs its way daily from Mount Dora to Tavares, carrying passengers on a one-hour trip through time on a 1913 steam locomotive.

Thomas, a 55-ton replica of the famous train with its trademark silly grin, will be operating only out of Tavares. He will be accompanied by Sir Topham Hatt, the character that runs the fictional railroad with a "firm but kindly manner."

More than 100 million Thomas books have been sold since their debut in 1945. The Rev. Wilbert Vere Awdry made up the stories to amuse one of his children who was bedridden with measles. The stories, with good vs. evil themes, feature such characters as Edward, a "kind" engine, and S.C. Ruffey, "an old, experienced truck with a bad attitude and rough habits."

Last year, Thomas and the Magic Railroad made its way onto the big screen, in a movie starring Peter Fonda and Alec Baldwin. The Tavares event is expected to draw between 4,000 and 5,000 visitors a day, House said. To buy tickets, call 352-735-4776 or visit the railway station in Mount Dora.